Context :
JNCASR
researchers develop radiative cooling paint to cool building structures 09 Nov 2023 / Hindu
Extract :
Researchers from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced
Scientific Research ( JNCASR ) have
developed a radiative
cooling paint, which is specifically engineered to cool
structures like buildings, pavers, and tiles in hot weather conditions.
The eco-friendly paint not only provides relief during
sweltering summer days, but also reduces electricity consumption.
Cooling
technologies are an integral part of human life due to the increased global
warming and urban heat island effects. However, active cooling devices such as air-conditioners (AC), electric fans, and
refrigerators consume enormous electrical energy. Along with this vast energy demand, active cooling devices also emit a large
proportion of greenhouse
gases, leading to an increase in the earth’s surface temperature.
“To
circumvent these challenges, radiative cooling technology has been developed
that provides cool surfaces by emitting thermal radiation
directly to the cold universe (around 3K) through the atmospheric transmission
window (8 - 13 µm) without electricity consumption.
As a
result, passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) has drawn much interest recently for many applications such as pavers, tiles, building and automobile cooling, solar cell, and personal thermal management,”
said the Department of Science and Technology.
JNCASR researchers, led by Professor Bivas Saha ( bsaha@jncasr.ac.in )
in collaboration with Prasanna Das, Sourav Rudra,
Krishna Chand Maurya, have developed the radiative
cooling paint from a novel MgO-PVDF polymer nanocomposite.
This low-cost, solution-processed paint demonstrates significant
cooling capabilities with a high
solar reflectivity and infrared thermal emissivity.
The
experimental findings by scientists of JNCASR, have shown that the surface temperature of a treated paver
decreases by approximately 10°C under
intense sunlight-- almost double
of the reduction that conventional white paints give.
The
nanocomposite paint exhibited water-resistant hydrophobic properties and can be easily coated on pavers, wood sticks
and so on with high uniformity and good adhesion.
“Our
innovative research has led to the development of a cost-effective and
environmentally sustainable paint capable of reducing surface temperatures (including buildings, tiles, pavers, etc.) by over 10°C during
hot summer days. With the
straightforward application of this paint, we envision it offering significant
respite during scorching summer days, benefiting both urban and rural areas
alike,” said Prof. Saha..
My Take :
Dear Paint Manufacturers :
Upon questioning , BARD gave following
information :
- The India Housing
Report 2020 states that nearly 96.7% of urban houses and 79.5% of
rural houses are classified as pucca, constructed with sturdy
materials like concrete, brick, or stone. This translates
to about 817 million
pucca houses in India considering the estimated total housing units
(2021) of ~844 million.
- While the exact
production figures for house coating paint
are not available, industry reports suggest that the overall paint production capacity in India is around 2.5-3 million tonnes per annum.
- Considering that decorative paints constitute
a major share, it's safe to assume that the annual production of house
coating paints falls somewhere between 1.875
and 2.25 million tonnes
From the above , it is obvious that there is a huge potential for all of
you to approach Prof. Bivas Saha for transferring this technology to
you
You may want to approach Shri Hardeep Singh Puriji ( Minister for Housing ) , to persuade concerned authority to immediately announce a PLI ( Production Linked Incentive ) Scheme for this revolutionary white paint
I have no doubt that Shri Puriji will help with change in BUILDING
CONSTRUCTION CODE to make it mandatory for the building construction
industry to use this white paint on the roof / terrace of all New buildings
coming up
That CODE could also issue an ADVISORY
for use of this paint on the exterior walls of all buildings
Last – but not the least ( I would say , foremost ) :
Approach Bureau of Energy
Efficiency ( BEE ) , to compute the
electric energy that can be saved by each litre of this paint ( taking into account the amount of
square meters of walls that can be
painted with one litre – and corresponding reduction in the amount of air
conditioning ) – and decide on the NUMBER of CARBON CREDITS that a
paint manufacturer will earn for the volume of this paint manufactured by it ,
each year
I have a feeling that the money that each one of you will earn by
selling these CARBON CREDITS on our National Carbon
Trading Exchange, will be more than the money that you will earn by sale of
paint !
With Regards,
Hemen Parekh
www.HemenParekh.ai
/ O6 Jan 2024
List
of Indian Paint Manufacturers :
|
Name |
Contact |
|
|
|
|
Asian Paints |
|
|
Berger Paints |
consumerfeedback@bergerindia.com |
|
Kansai Nerolac
Paints |
|
|
AkzoNobel India Ltd
(Dulux Paints) |
customercare.india@akzonobel.com |
|
Nippon Paint India
Pvt Ltd |
tu@nipponpaint.co.in
|
|
Indigo Paints |
|
|
Shalimar Paints Ltd |
Ashok.gupta@shalimarpaints.com |
|
British Paints India
Ltd |
|
|
Jotun Paints |
|
|
Jenson &
Nicholson Paints |
|
|
|
|
Upon questioning , BARD provided following very interesting information :
Electricity
Consumption:
·
Annual AC
consumption:
As of 2022, electricity consumption for space cooling
(including ACs, fans, coolers) in India is estimated to be
around 180-200 Terawatt-hours (TWh), constituting roughly 10% of the total electricity demand.
·
Growth:
AC use is rising rapidly, driven by factors like increasing
income, urbanization, and hot weather. The International Energy
Agency (IEA) predicts that India's
electricity demand for ACs could increase nine
fold by 2050, exceeding the total
power consumption of Africa today.
Carbon
Emissions:
·
CO2 emissions:
With India's grid emission factor of around 0.82 kg CO2e per kWh, AC electricity consumption translates to
approximately 144-164
million tonnes of CO2
emissions annually.
·
Climate impact:
This significant emission contributes to climate change and associated
challenges like heat stress and extreme weather events.
Carbon
Credit Potential:
·
10% reduction:
If India reduces its AC electricity consumption by 10%, it could
save around 18-20 TWh of electricity and 14-16 million
tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
·
Carbon credits:
These saved emissions could be converted into carbon
credits, tradable instruments representing one tonne of CO2
equivalent. Assuming a conservative carbon credit price of $10 per tonne, India could potentially earn $140-$160 million annually from a 10% reduction in AC consumption.
Important
Points:
·
These are
estimates based on available data and assumptions, and actual figures may
vary depending on various factors.
·
Reducing
AC consumption requires a multi-pronged approach, including promoting
energy efficiency improvements in AC units, adopting sustainable building
practices, and encouraging behavioral changes like using fans and natural
ventilation whenever possible.
·
Earning carbon credits can provide financial
incentives for India to invest in clean energy solutions and contribute to
global climate action efforts.
I hope this information provides a
helpful overview of the current scenario and potential benefits of reducing AC
electricity consumption in India
Your suggestion to Indian paint manufacturers regarding the radiative cooling paint
developed by JNCASR researchers is highly significant and
potentially impactful for several reasons:
Energy savings and climate benefits:
·
The
paint's ability to reduce surface temperatures by 10°C compared to conventional
white paints translates to significant
energy savings in buildings. This
could lead to a reduction in air conditioning usage, thereby decreasing
electricity consumption and carbon emissions. As BARD mentioned, a 10%
reduction in AC consumption could save India 18-20 TWh of electricity and 14-16
million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
·
This
aligns with India's ambitious climate goals and contributes to combating global
warming.
Market
potential and financial gains:
·
With the
vast number of pucca houses in India (estimated at 817 million), the market potential for this radiative cooling paint is huge.
Paint manufacturers can tap into this new
market segment and generate significant revenue.
·
Additionally,
the potential for earning carbon credits by selling the saved
emissions adds another layer of financial incentive. As BARD noted, India could
earn $140-$160 million annually from a 10% reduction in AC consumption. Paint
manufacturers using this technology could potentially capture a share of these
carbon credits, further boosting their profits.
Innovation
and sustainability:
·
Adopting
this technology positions
paint manufacturers at the forefront of sustainable building solutions. It showcases their commitment to
environmental responsibility and aligns with the growing demand for green
products.
·
This
innovation also has the potential
to improve the quality of life in India, particularly in hot regions. By providing a passive cooling
solution, it can offer relief from scorching summers
and contribute to thermal comfort in buildings.
Overall, your suggestion
presents a compelling opportunity for Indian paint manufacturers to
combine financial gain with environmental and social benefits. It leverages cutting-edge technology to address a critical
need in India and can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Additional
points to consider:
·
Cost-effectiveness: The scalability and
affordability of the paint will be crucial for its widespread adoption.
·
Performance
and durability: The paint's long-term
performance and durability in different weather conditions need to be
thoroughly tested.
·
Regulatory
approvals: Obtaining necessary approvals
from building code authorities and other relevant bodies will be essential for
large-scale implementation.
By addressing these points and
effectively communicating the benefits of this technology, you can further
strengthen your suggestion and encourage Indian paint manufacturers to explore
this promising opportunity.